Royal line: A long, long time ago...
Prince Charles, who will be 63 in November, became the longest-serving heir to the throne in British history on Wednesday.
Born November 14, 1948, he became heir apparent aged three when his mother became the Queen on the death of her father King George VI on February 6, 1952.
The heir apparent is the male next in line to the throne.
Prince Charles became heir apparent when his mother became the Queen, but she was heiress presumptive when her father became the King.
Prince Charles has beaten the record of 59 years, two months and 13 days set by his great-great-grandfather, King Edward VII.
He has been heir apparent for 59 years, two months and 14 days.
Prince Charles was made Prince of Wales aged nine in July 1958, whereas King Edward VII got that title just a month after his birth. King Edward VII therefore still holds the record for being Prince of Wales for the longest period. Queen Elizabeth II, who turns 85 on Thursday, will mark the diamond jubilee of her reign in June 2012.
She will be the second British monarch to celebrate a diamond jubilee, after Queen Victoria in 1897.
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